Statement Condemns Iranian Government’s Conviction and Sentencing of Iranian Lawyer
The Iranian American Bar Association (IABA) joins the January 12, 2011 statement by the American Bar Association (ABA) concerning the conviction of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. The statement states the following:
The American Bar Association (ABA) condemns the Iranian government’s conviction and sentencing of lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, after an unfair trial, on charges of “acting against national security” and making “propaganda against the system” in defending fellow lawyers accused of crimes related to their human rights advocacy.
The ABA calls upon the Iranian government to fulfill its human rights obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party. Iran also should observe the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers to ensure that Iranian lawyers can work “without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.”
Further, Iran should, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, “take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of [human rights defenders] against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary actions” as a consequence of their legitimate effort to promote human rights.
